Your Coffee is ready.
Happy Friday! And welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. We’re warming up to go smash some Team Series WODs over at CrossFit Downtown Santa Ana.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.” — Gabby Castillo, reader
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S 50 FITTEST IN SPORTS
THE STORY.
Yesterday, Sports Illustrated published their annual list of the top 50 fittest men and women across all sports. Their definition of fittest? Athletes were considered based on performances in the last 12 months, demands and risks of their respective sports, training regimens, longevity and physical benchmarks, including: speed, strength, endurance, agility, flexibility and power.
OK, sounds pretty reasonable.
SO WHO WAS ON IT?
Only three CrossFit Games athletes: Mathew Fraser, Tia-Clair Toomey and Kara Webb. That list is down from four athletes last year.
Guess who got #1 and #2 on the men’s side: Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, respectively.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS (in our opinion)?
By their own definition of fitness, it sure seems like Sports Illustrated missed their mark and instead opted to turn this into a popularity contest. Only two Olympic Weightlifters were selected in the entire world. For a sport that so acutely demonstrates strength, speed, flexibility and power (their words not ours) that’s a little shocking. They also seemed to have forgotten the litany of World Records set by CrossFit athletes that their own publication catalogued back in February.
Of course we’re biased. We think more CrossFitters should be on this list. Regardless, any publication that puts Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James at the top of the list for fittest athletes is hard to take seriously.
Unfortunately, this year’s edition is just further evidence that Sports Illustrated has joined a growing chorus of publications irrelevant in the discussion of what defines fitness in sports.
(Rant Over…)
Now for lots of CrossFit related news 🙂
CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX
We know it’s been a long week. Thankfully our Internet elves sent us this 60 second video guaranteed to start your day with an LOL.
ROUNDUP — Dave Hippensteel, the Fittest 61-year-old decided he’s donating about half of the $10,000 he took home from the CrossFit Games to Manna Cafe Ministries and Hope Pregnancy Center. Jeff Evans hits a 425 pound clean PR. Your author’s first CrossFit coach is going to be training Miss Ireland as she prepares for the Miss Universe competition in November. Speaking from experience…legs will be dead. Brent Fikowski is getting married today. Aleksey Torokhtiy snatches 407 pounds. Could you pull this rope without stopping?
For when you’re bored at work and really need something to make you laugh — 8 animals who are CrossFitting harder than you.
CHRISTMAS ABBOTT AND BIG BROTHER — What happened? She didn’t win. We don’t fully understand why and won’t even try and figure it out. For this we turn to the News Observer for a detailed play-by-play of the final moments.
THINGS TO…
HEAR: In Defense Of An Unbalanced Life
Is “balance” ever attainable? Fitness, sleep, work, family, friends: pick 3. Or maybe more accurately: pick 2. Can we really be the super mom and the CEO and the fittest chick in the gym and the supportive wife + awesome friend, while taking time for self care and recovery, all at the same damn time? Taylor dives into this topic on this episode of SHE THRIVES Podcast.
BUT SERIOUSLY THO.
EAT: Crispy Veggie Noodle and Bacon Bowl
Imagine some bacon, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots and spices blended together on a hot skillet. It’s hard to imagine something more effortless and super healthy especially when you’re feeling it post WOD. Plus, it’s super easy to add another protein like eggs or ground turkey.
HEAT UP THE PAN.
CHALK UP AFFILIATES
OC Weekly Magazine nominated CrossFit Downtown Santa Ana for best gym and you can show them so love by voting.
MUST READ — We love our pets, but is it the best policy to allow them at your affiliate? Monique Ames of CrossFit Journal dissects the pros and cons and offers a few things to consider to limit your liability should you choose to have them.
WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO’S LOOKING TO ‘DO MORE’…
Pleased to meet ya! Let us introduce you to the 3rd annual Do More Charity Challenge, which is kicking off September 30. The Denver-based fundraiser has already doled out more than $400,000 to Colorado charities in their first two years and they’ve got their sights on $750,000 after this year. That’s a serious amount of dough, but check this out. Thirty-six teams are hitting the floor over two days and seven events to see who sits on top of the podium. Now here’s where things get interesting. Instead of cashing big fat checks for themselves, the winning team gets $22,000 to donate to charities. How awesome is that?!